could have competed last year for Portugal, his native country, but decided to wait until he became a U.S. citizen and compete for the U.S. in 2016. On social media Smolen often posts pictures kayaking.--Abby

Like a lot of United fans, until recently Jesse Lingard had known little but dominance.Of course there were the battles with Arsenal, the years spent trying to close the gap on Chelsea and the skirmishes with the noisy neighbours from across the city.But Sir Alex Fergusons United always got their title back in the end. Success is pretty much all I remember, says Lingard, who was born in the North West in December 1992, during Sir Alexs first title-winning season, got a United shirt pretty much as soon as he could walk, and has been a red through and through ever since.Even his first United memories are of the clubs greatest ever season.I remember Solskjaer scoring to win the Champions League and Giggsys famous run against Arsenal, says Lingard, who went to his first United game a couple of seasons later. Another famous one against Arsenal.It was the 6-1 game, I went with my Grandad. He taught me a lot of my early skills and got me my first kit, he adds in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports Patrick Davison.Then there are his heroes.I used to idolise Giggs and Scholes. With Giggs its great to still have him around and to be able to go to him for guidance and help. Paul Scholes is so humble and just an absolute legend. Ryan Giggs was one of Lingards idols growing up All this points to why this season, and the couple before it, have been tough for Lingard - as a fan its the toughest period hes known.But at the same time hes loved it. Because this has been his breakthrough year. The season hes made his boyhood dream a reality and become a proper first team Manchester United player. Its been a long road.I had a trial when I was seven and at nine I had to choose between Liverpool and Manchester United - obviously I chose United! He then moved out of home and into digs when he was 12 and, as teenager, was supported by the clubs coaches when others might have discarded him for being too small.I was pretty small and a late developer so sometimes at Under 18 I had to play Under 16s. The coaches look after you. They nurture you really well.Part of that nurturing has been playing Lingard out wide to stop him getting hurt. Eventually hed like to play more centrally.Another part was steering him perfectly through the loan system - via Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby - where so many young players seem to get lost. Lingard spent time on loan with Brighton Finally, last October he forced his way Uniteds team, exactly as Sir Alex had predicted.I remember him meeting me and my family at Old Trafford and he said, At 22/23, Jesse will come of age and be a Manchester United player. Now thats what happened, so thank you Sir Alex.But not everyone from the 2011 FA Youth Cup winning team Lingard was a part of lasted the course.Ravel Morrison seemingly couldnt be tamed and, most painfully for United fans, Paul Pogba was lost to Juventus. Former Man Utd youngster Paul Pogba is now plying his trade with Juventus Pogba and Ravel could both still be playing for United, say their former team-mate. They were both massive talents. Ravel off the cuff, Pogba with strength and skill in midfield. Most coaches thought that team would all break through together.While Pogba and Morrison left, Lingard stayed to fulfil Sir Alexs prophecy. He edged his way into Louis van Gaals plans, firstly through a couple of solid substitute performances and then as a starter.Next, in a home game against West Brom, came the moment hed dreamed of.My first United goal, he says proudly. That moment, at the Stretford End, is all I ever wanted to do. Lingard scored his first goal for United against West Brom Unfortunately for Van Gaal, the emergence of Lingard, followed by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and, dramatically on Thursday night, Marcus Rashford, from the academy, have been among the few bright spots in a drab season for United fans and a difficult one for their manager.Lingard says its time to forget personal dreams and journeys and get back to the glory days he remembers as a youngster. After his sensational debut for Manchester Uniteds first team, weve picked out a few goals from Marcus Rashford during his time with the Under-21s. Over the years United have won plenty of trophies but lately weve not been doing it. We need to get back to that. Manchester United need to be in the Champions League.Young, homegrown players have played a huge role in Uniteds past and the club will need them again - starting with Arsenal on Sunday - if they are to save their season.Also See:Title rivals live on Sky SportsLiverpool face Utd in EuropeWATCH: Rashfords U21 goalsMan Utd fixturesJordan Crawford Pelicans Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Brandon Ingram Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. https://www.pelicanslockerroom.com/Customized/ . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Zylan Cheatham Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Jaxson Hayes Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete.With the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro just around the corner, athletes from all over the world will come together with the same goal: to win.But what good is winning without being able to share it -- and the events leading up to it-- with the billions of people who watch the Olympics?From USAs Simone Biles to Indias Yogeshwar Dutt to Irelands Katie Taylor, there are thousands of athletes social media accounts fans can follow to get behind the scenes action from some of their favorite athletes, or some they havent even heard of until now.Here is a list of 24 athletes fans should follow on social media ahead of the Olympics:--Kieran BehanKieranBehanIRL , Twitter, Ireland GymnasticsThe Ireland gymnast was told he could never walk, let alone compete again after a botched surgery to remove a tumor in his leg when he was 10 years old. Now 27, Behan competed in the 2012 London Olympics and will compete again in Rio.--Simone BilesSimone-Biles , Twitter, USA GymnasticsStanding at only 4-foot-8, the 19-year-old gymnast is dominating the gymnastics circuit and just recently won her fourth consecutive U.S. all-around title over U.S. teammate Aly Raisman, a double gold medalist at the 2012 Games. While an elite athlete, Biles still knows how to have fun on social media, posting pictures of her and her friends going to concerts and late night frozen yogurt runs.--Carlin IslesCarlin-Isles , Twitter, USA Rugby SevensIsles, referred to by many as the worlds fastest rugby player, will be a member on the inaugural USA Rugby Sevens team in Rio. Rugby 7s is a new sport at the 2016 Olympics. The Detroit Lions signed Isles to their practice squad in 2013, but he chose to leave in February 2014 to play rugby for the Glasgow Warriors.--Caroline BuchananCBuchanan68 , Twitter, Australia BMXA six-time BMX and Mountain Bike World Champion, Buchanan is taking her talents to her second Olympics after being a 2012 Olympic finalist. Buchanan had a half an hour TV show made about her journey to Rio that has been airing on FOX Sports in Australia. On social media, Buchanan shares her journey to Rio through pictures and videos. Shes also an avid French bulldog lover.--Jordan Burroughsalliseeisgold , Twitter, USA WrestlingBurroughs, a 2012 Olympic Champion, looks to be the favorite headed into Rio in the 74kg/163 lbs. division. Not only is the four-time World Champion a star on the mat, but also his charismatic personality off the mat has made him a fan favorite. He has two children and shares pictures of them both regularly.--Bubba Watsonbubbawatson , Twitter, USA GolfWith golf making its return to the Olympics after a 112-year hiatus, Watson is 100 percent committed to going to Rio -- unlike a handful of other golfers who have shown concerns or withdrawn their names completely. One of the top golfers in the U.S., Watson has a large social media presence and often uses it to share pictures of his wife and their two adopted children.--Bob BryanBryanbros , Twitter, USA TennisBob will look to defend his 2012 gold medal in Rio with his brother, Mike. Rio looks to be the last Olympics for the pair who compete in mens doubles. On social media, Bob often features his three kids on and off the tennis court.--Stephen Lambdinstephenlambdin , Twitter, USA TaekwondoLambdin will compete in his first Olympics after earning the silver in the Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament. On social media, Lambdin has been doing a countdown to Rio complete with customized photos. Lambdin once got asked for an autograph on the plane. The kid thought he was Kevin Love.--Daniel Goodfellowdanngoodfellow , Twitter, Great Britain DiveGoodfellow is competing in his first Olympics this summer and will be competing alongside Tom Daley in the mens 10m synchronized diving event. His Twitter feed is often filled with videos and pictures of him and his teammates training in the pool.--Domantas SabonisDsabonis11 , Twitter, Lithuania BasketballThe Gonzaga star was chosen 11th in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic then subsequently traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The NBA rookie will be missing summer league and instead be playing in his first Olympics for the Lithuania basketball team. On social media, Sabonis took his followers behind the scenes for the NBA Draft and looks to be starting to do so for the Olympics.--Katie TaylorKatieTaylor , Twitter, Ireland BoxingCredited for raising the profile of womens boxing in Ireland, Taylor has become an icon in the world of boxing and was the flag holder for Ireland in the 2012 London Olympic opening ceremony. On social media, Taylor is known as outspoken -- recently openly questioning golfers who are choosing to skip the 2016 Olympics.--English GardnerUgHLyDuCkLiN , Twitter, USA Track and FieldSouth Jersey native Ennglish Gardner is one of track and fields biggest personalities.dddddddddddd While last year Gardner finished seventh in the Olympic trials, this year she won the 100m at U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. Gardner is very outspoken both in person and on social media. She claims she wants to become the fastest woman alive.--Keri-anne PayneKeriannePayne , Twitter, Great Britain Open Water SwimmingPayne just missed out on earning a medal in her hometown in the 2012 London Olympics, but now is back and looking to compete as one of the two open water swimmers for Great Britain.--Lisa DarmaninLisa-Darmanin , Twitter, Australia SailingDarmanin has her eyes set on earning the gold in the 2016 Olympics -- as stated in her Twitter bio. As well as sharing her Olympic journey on social media, Darmanin also writes a blog for the Australia Olympic Team in which she talks about her time preparing for the Olympics.--Edwina Tops-AlexanderEdwinaAlexander , Twitter, Australia ShowjumpingSponsored by Gucci and Jaeger-LeCoultre, Tops-Alexander is both one of the most successful showjumpers in the world as well as a fashion icon in the sport. Tops-Alexander helped to launch Guccis first equestrian line and had a dual passion for horses and fashion design since high school.--Cyrus Hostetlerchostetler15 , Twitter, USA Track and FieldNow the national champion in javelin for the first time in his career, Hostetler is headed to his second Olympics. Hostetler has faced multiple injuries in his career, but now is Rio-bound holding the No.1 spot in the U.S. Self-proclaimed graphic designer on his Twitter bio, Hostetler worked on the project management team for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and has his own blog.--Scott Morganscottmorgan- , Twitter, Canada GymnasticsHeaded to his first Olympics, Morgan will be Canadas sole mens artistic gymnast in Rio. Morgan was Canadas second-most decorated athlete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he won four medals including two gold medals.--Kassidy CookKassidyCook1 , Twitter, USA DivingTaking a year off from studying at Stanford University to train for the Olympics, Cook has been on the USA national team in 2010, 2011, 2012 and now 2016. Cook narrowly missed the 2012 London Olympics and then was out of competition for two years while she battled injuries. On social media, Cook acts like a normal teenager and likes to joke around.--Andrew Yorketrialsyorke , Twitter, Canada TriathlonYorke is headed to his first Olympics after being named an alternative in 2012. The 27-year-old is one of three triathlon athletes competing for Canada. September 17, 2014 was proclaimed Andrew Yorke Day in the Town of Caledon after Yorke finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Yorke grew up and trained in Caledon since a young age.--Patrick HustonSirHuckPatton , Twitter, Northern Ireland and Great Britain ArcheryA three-time World Champion archer, Huston will make his Olympic debut in Rio. The 20-year-old finished third in the European Championships in May. He will compete in the individual recurve event. On Twitter, Huston claims he will be coming home with one of these in reference to a tweet showing the 2016 medals in Rio.--Yogeshwar DuttDuttYogi , Twitter, India WrestlingWinning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics for 60kg freestyle, Dutt is back for another shot at claiming the gold medal. One of an anticipated 110 or more athletes from India, Dutt will be participating in his final Olympics. On social media, Dutt has over 113,000 followers and often shares pictures of how he is training for the Olympics.--Michal Smolenmichalsmolen , Twitter, USA Canoe SlalomRio will be Smolens first Olympics. Smolen could have competed last year for Portugal, his native country, but decided to wait until he became a U.S. citizen and compete for the U.S. in 2016. On social media Smolen often posts pictures kayaking.--Abby Ercegaerceg5 , Twitter, New Zealand SoccerA self-proclaimed Muggle on her Twitter bio, Erceg is going to her third Olympic Games at the age of only 26. Erceg plays on the Western New York Flash when she isnt competing for the New Zealand soccer team. On Twitter, she likes to share pictures of her teammates and looks like she will continue to do so with her national team in Rio.--Manu Ginobilimanuginobili , Twitter, Argentina BasketballKnown for his storied career with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, Ginobili will be going to his third Olympic games with the Argentine national team. Most of Ginobilis tweets are in Spanish, and so is his blog. The basketball star came back from a three-month hiatus in June and looks to be tweeting more than ever. ' ' '